Urge your members of Congress to pass the PETS Act so that no pet is left behind when disaster strikes.
Dear Friend,
I hope you will never be forced to make a horrifying choice: Abandon your pet and find your way to safety, or stay with your pet and remain in a hazardous, and potentially life-threatening, situation. But during Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people were given just that choice.
Today, I urge you to take action to help shape a policy that will save thousands of animals from this tragic fate -- and save pet lovers like you from being forced to confront this awful choice when disaster strikes. By asking your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to support the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, you can make a difference for people and animals. This legislation requires state and local authorities to take into consideration the needs of individuals with pets and service animals in disaster plans.
Imagine losing your home, your job, your school, your place of worship, and having nothing left but the unconditional love of your pet. We all witnessed the tragedies that occurred when Hurricane Katrina struck -- gut-wrenching images of abandoned animals and desperate people who stayed behind with their pets juxtaposed with heartwarming snapshots of courageous rescues and incredible reunions of people and their pets. These images illustrate the unbreakable bond between humans and their companion animals.
Please help us preserve this bond by contacting your members of Congress and urging them to pass the PETS Act. The U.S. House introduced its bill (H.R. 3858) in the wake of Katrina last fall. The Senate introduced its companion bill (S. 2548) just a few weeks ago, which would further help animals in disasters by authorizing financial support to states to create and operate shelters for people with animals. The Senate bill would also allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs to people with household pets and service animals, and the animals themselves, after a disaster strikes.
Take action. Please contact your U.S. Representative and Senators today and urge them to support the PETS Act to prevent our treasured pets and service animals from being left behind in the next major disaster. Even if you have previously e-mailed or called Congress about the PETS Act, I urge you to take action again. Click here to contact Congress now.
Spread the word. No one should have to make the choice between their companion or service animals and their own safety. Tell your friends and family how they can help ensure pets are included in disaster and evacuation plans.
With your help, we can make sure that when the next disaster strikes, no pet will be left behind. Thank you for your action on behalf of animals.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States
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